Parent Testimonial

“Jim, you’re such a “valuable tool” even though some of the things you explained to our son, his dad and I have explained many times, for some reason they just “get it” better when it comes from a neutral third party. It’s great, the way you get “right into their life using humor” and you start building that “trust” and “respect.” You definitely have a “Gift,” I’m just so thankful we’ve been given an opportunity to see that “gift” working in our lives.”

How Jim Connects with Students in Orlando, Winter Park, Clermont & East Orlando Florida

He’s in the PCA Car Club where he Autocrosses and has pictures of his track events and trophies in the office

Jim uses Humor as he had 2 Teen Comedy Clubs he used to build teens confidence, speaking and acting skills and published several skits performed in his clubs with Youth Specialties.

He can meet them for dinner, Starbucks, Planet Smoothie, a driving range, play basketball, throw a football or baseball or most anything to connect with students.

He had a Skateboard Team with corporate sponsors and built half pipes, ramps, quarter pipes, fun boxes, rail slides, etc.

Ropes Course, climbing wall and team building games for Day Camps, and Summer Camps

Specialized Counseling Skills: Jim West has clients drive from all over the state of Florida, from Georgia and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications in the Orlando area. Since 2003 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center in the Orlando and Winter Park area.

Personal:

Jim received his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia. Jim subsequently attended additional coursework at University of South Florida and obtained his license with the state of Florida and the National Board for Certified Counselors. Jim is also a state Qualified Clinical Supervisor and provides supervision to Registered Mental Health Interns for state licensure. Jim is also the president of Total Life Counseling Center. He also received his B.S. in Youth Ministry and incorporates those techniques with Counseling to accelerate the connection with students and earn their influence sooner.

Past Experience:

James West is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works primarily with children, adolescents and young adults from ages 6 and up in Orlando Winter Park and throughout Central Florida.

Private Practice And Salvation Army:

Alpha Counseling Center in Lakeland from 1994-1996 while working with the Salvation Army’s Transitional Living program. Jim was responsible for training families in job placement, life skills, parenting, and helping them establish stable housing.

Florida Baptist Children’s Home-Day Treatment:

Oppositional Defiant teenagers and children with histories of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.

Winter Haven Hospital’s Behavior Health Division:

One of the best community mental health centers in the country where he was a clinician for 3 years working extensively with ADHD children, oppositional children, court referrals, parent training, anger management groups, social skills training, and depressed children. Later Jim was offered a promotion into administration as Utilization Management Coordinator and managed the Behavioral Health Network (BNET) for Polk, Highlands and Hardee County until November 2003. BNET is a program for kids requiring intensive therapeutic services beyond the scope of traditional outpatient therapies and has been quite successful at keeping most of those enrolled out of residential or inpatient programs.

Total Life Counseling Center:

Jim West is the president/owner. Since 2003 Jim has expanded its staff and now has offices in Metro Orlando including Metro West, Winter Park, East Orlando and Clermont. Additionally, Jim has always thought of creative experiential treatment approaches to reach those who might not respond to traditional therapies.

Connects quickly with students

Jim has a unique way of bonding with children and adolescents through Play Therapy, Power Point Presentations, Interactive Games, Recreation Therapy and staying current with the constantly changing world of the children & adolescents. Jim also stays current with adolescents through his 13 years experience in youth ministry in speaks to students at school assemblies, youth groups and conventions.

Local and National TV & Radio

Jim is a children, adolescent, college student & family expert and is asked to provide advice on local & national TV & Radio including the Daily Buzz, Fox 35, Channel 13, NBC, 810am & more.

School Consultations & Staffings

Jim has been invited to provide consultation to several private and public schools in the state of Florida. Some local schools include: Lake Highland Preparatory, First Academy, Pinecastle Christian Academy, Ocoee Elementary, Clarcona Elementary, Foundation Academy, and more. His consultations include conflict resolution, accommodations for ADHD, character building, student retention, and school improvement programs. He also advocates for students with their IEP or Indivdiualized Education Plan & 504 Plans.

Seminars for Counselors, Teachers, Schools, Parents

With Jim West Child, Adolescent and Young Adults Expert in Orlando, East Orlando, Winter Park & Clermont International Communicator: Jim has been invited to speak for private school accreditation boards over the past 6 years including ACSI, Childrens Home Society, National School Social Workers & FACCS. He has spoken to thousands of teachers over the years and influenced private schools to provide special programs for students with learning disabilities, and accommodations for ADHD. His recordings at seminars are often the top requested CD’s.

Since 2004 incorporating a Challenge Ropes Course and Equestrian program has helped students mature significantly, socially and emotionally, increase confidence, become calmer, more compliant, improved leadership skills, and a more positive influence on their peers.

Jim also is a state approved Qualified Clinical Supervisor for therapists completing their 2 year internship to become a Florida State licensed counselor.

Adrenaline: Youth Group of Horizons Community Church-Gotha Florida

Community Involvement:

Jim was the producer of Sunday Night Live (Virginia) & Standing Room Only (a Saturday Night Live type program for High School Students in Lakeland) as well as Club 77. Club 77 was a Smoke Free Drug Free & Alcohol Free club for High School and College age students. Sunday Night Live & Standing Room Only were run by college students and the actors were teenagers entertaining other teens. These programs have built incredible self-confidence and developed talents and leadership skills for many teens. Jim has kept in touch with some of the teens that were involved in these programs and most are now adults involved in their community mentoring adolescents in some way. Jim is in the process of developing similar programs in Orlando.

Jim leads a social skills group for ages 6-10, 11-13 and 14-17. This group is covers anger management, social skills, dealing with perceptions, greeting people, starting conversation, resolving conflict, apologizing, etc. The group utilizes interactive games focusing on building trust, focusing, not interrupting, etc. The group also utilizes short Power Point presentations to maintain attention and focus. The group also processes appropriate ways to express feelings of frustration or hurt.

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